FYI / ATI Katherine McColgan, CAE Executive Director — Directrice générale Canadian Federation of Library Associations Fédération canadienne des associations de bibliothèques 613.867.7789 www.cfla-fcab.ca @CFLAFCAB @kdmccolgan New science committee will help meet the needs of Canada’s researchers News Release From Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada Government unveils plan to improve coordination among research funding agencies that support scientists, students October 27, 2017 – Ottawa ON When Canada’s scientists have the best support to meet their needs, whether new labs and equipment, access to funding, or opportunities to collaborate with their research peers or train new generations of students—they are able to pursue bold new ideas and make exciting breakthroughs in research. Much of this support comes from funding supplied by Canada’s three federal granting agencies—the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)—and by the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI). Though these agencies are vital to Canadian research, more needs to be done to improve how they support scientists and students who are a source of new knowledge, skills development and innovation. That’s why the Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science, and the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Health, today announced the creation of the Canada Research Coordinating Committee (CRCC). In an open letter, the ministers tasked the committee to improve collaboration among the granting councils and the CFI to the benefit of researchers and students across the country. The CRCC will address several of the recommendations made in the Fundamental Science Review, including improving support for international, multidisciplinary, risky and rapid-response research;...

The net present value (NPV) of Ontario’s investment in public libraries has decreased by over 60% in the past 20 years. This is my calculation. You can use your own NPV calculation if you want. Prior to 1996 the public Library Operating Grant (our sustainable provincial funding) was $ 64 million per year apportioned by population. In 1996 it was cut by the Harris government by 50% to $32,000,000 It was not increased at all (despite inflation) since then. There have been one time grants over the past decade that do not make up the difference. Accounting for inflation, A “basket” of goods and services (http://www.bankofcanada.ca/rates/related/inflation-calculator/) …that cost: $in …would cost: $in Clear Calculate Per cent change: Number of Years: 1995 $64 million is $95.3 million in 2017 dollars 1996 $32 million is $47.9 million in 2017 dollars so that means we’re at almost 70% behind on a get even...

This is from the Annual collection of data from all libraries by the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport. My (FOPL’s) latest aggregation is here: http://fopl.ca/news/fopl-releases-ontario-public-libraries-statistics-report-and-rankings-feb-2017/ It’s also supported by the Market Probe Canada FOPL Public Opinion Poll: https://www.slideshare.net/stephenabram1/market-probe-fopl-presentation-20150509v7animated-68588314 In general every dollar invested in libraries generates over $6 in local, frontline economic impact benefiting regular Ontarians There are a ton of studies in this area and a number of Ontario studies. Here’s a list but the first one in Ontario was the TPL MPI study TPL MPI: Other value studies: (Kim Silk maintains a list here http://libraryresearchnetwork.org/ TPL Sources for their Public Library Economic Impact Study I thought folks might find the sources used for the Toronto Public Library economic impact study released in the last few weeks handy: You can find the study here (66 page PDF): http://ourpubliclibrary.to/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/RotmanStudy.pdf So Much More: The Economic Impact of the Toronto Public Library on the City of Toronto Halbur, T. (2011, September 20). Public Libraries are Natural Town Squares. Planetizen: The Urban Planning, Design, and Development Network. Retrieved from: http://www.planetizen.com/node/51438 Johnson, C. A. (2010). Do public libraries contribute to social capital?: A preliminary investigation into the relationship. Library & Information Science Research, 32(2), 147–155. doi:10.1016/j.lisr.2009.12.006 Ko, Y. M. (2012). An economic valuation study of public libraries in Korea. Library & Information Science Research, 34(2). Retrieved from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0740818812000060 Kretzmann, J. (2005, December). The Engaged Library: Chicago Stories of Community Building. Urban Libraries Council . Retrieved from http://www.abcdinstitute.org/docs/ULCReport.pdf Leckie, G. J., & Hopkins, J. (2002). The Public Place of Central Libraries: Findings from Toronto and Vancouver. Library Quarterly, 72 (3), 326–72. Retrieved from: http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/detail?accno=EJ654242 Library Board of Queensland (2012). The Library...

Earlier this month, the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport launched a Facebook page, which will contain information for the public about some of the good work we are all doing to make Ontario the premiere tourism and culture destination in the world. We hope all public libraries will help get the message out by following MTCS on Facebook and sharing their posts on your own channels. I know SOLS will! There are two channels: English: facebook.com/ExploreOn French: facebook.com/ONexplorez Thank you for helping the Ministry promote its social media channels. Barb Barbara Franchetto, BA, MLS Chief Executive Officer/Directrice générale Southern Ontario Library Service/ Service des bibliothèques de l’Ontario-Sud 1, rue Yonge Street Suite/Bureau 1504 Toronto, ON M5E 1E5 416.961.1669 ext./poste 5104 bfranchetto@sols.org...